Safety guard for punch presses



May 8. 1928.

1,668,545 L. BORAKS SAFETY GUARD FOR PUNCH PRESSES F1ed-an..13, .1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 4 cf l www *M1 .i 16a' l 1z gf @hun uw@ f I A bugenfor IouwBm'ulzS @hul fnl@ f Mar! May s, 1928. 1,668,545

L. BORAKS SAFETY GUARD FOR PUNCH PRESSES filled Jan. 13, 1927 2 Sl'leaLs-Sl'leet` 2 Patented May 8, 1928.

U NITE D AKT ES;

rimasel PATENT o LOUIS' ."BORAKS, 0F ROSLINDALE, MASSACHUSETTS.

SAFETYr GUARDFDR PUNCH PRESSES. l

Appiicanoa med January 13,1927. semi ne. 160,930.

rEhe safeguarding of certain machines such as the vpunch press has been lprovided for by many devices and of these a variety are in use. f

rfhe problem has two phases of ldiiiculty, one the actual eliiciency of the guard and the other theinertia of thel operative or owner who are frequently reluctant to use y the guard or lderelict in maintenance thereof. The dangers involved in the use of such machines are so welll recognized that Sepv come one of the most serious mechanicall problems in accident prevention. To overcome these dangers a wide variety of guards and feeding methods has been devised.

Special regulation is made in the code for the' safeguarding of press hazards at point of operation and specific requirement for suitable means is incorporated..

rlhere are three methods of feeding the ress an automatic feed a semi-automatic` feed and a manual feed. It is required that in the case of the automatic and semi-automatic feeds the ram be-either enclosed7 the ram stroke limited, or a gate guard provided. ln the case of the manual feed in addition toI the above there is an alternative of using a sweepV guard or special hand tools.

My invention deals with the safeguarding of the press by the provision of an enclosure of the ram.

The safety s code makes specific requirements as to the details'of safeguarding and to these details and the accompanying illustrations, reference is made as a disclosure of the prior art. My invention is intended to comply with all requirements of the code as well as furnish a more economical and satisfactory guard than has heretofore been known. i f

The problem involved is so old and accidents of this nature socommon vthat the risk is not only specifically insurable but the Vsafety devices classified and rated for insurance credit. y

y `The present invention approachedfvfiom the viewpoint of insurance contemplatesk a guard of the highest rating and one eifering the least use resistancey to the common end of preventing the inaiming of the operative and makingA possible the most. eiiicient insurance for unavoidable injury.

The guard of the present inventionis of the barrier type which while accepted as the most eiiicient and reliable type is .but

infrequently used and then usuallyV on auto# i matic or special tool presses where `frequent access/to4 the rain and dies 1s unnecessary. As the matter of accessibility ofthe press and adjustability of theguard for the various heights and sizes Lof dies, and tools used areconditions precedent for the survival of the guard in use, my invention provides for both, while maintaining a cost: price consistent with insurance rates. My guard is distinguished from others now in use in that it p y is aY fixture yattached directly to the frame workzofthe press, which because of its great variety of adjustments need not be removed from the press in setting up` new tools,V and may he adjusted to all lsizes of tools used in al common punch press. My guard may be adjustedverticallyi horizontally and; an'- gularly, and it may be raised entirelyy above the setting up point without being removed froml the presa'f Furthermore the` guard itself may be fixed in any position and the two side barriers yet be laterally adjustable. While my invention ris capable of rather wide yvariation in details of structural have illustrated in the accompanying Ldrawings a form suiliciently representative yto enable any shop head to maire an efficient and satisfactory guard for any standardtypeof press., In these drawings: y i

Fig.k l is a4 front elevation of suchy guard applied to a press indicatedv iiiy outline.V c Fig. 2 is a similarlytreated sideview.

Fig; 3 is a plan view of the guard. Fig. 4i is an end view looking frointhe inside of the guard.

Fig. 5 is a section on the lines` ,5f-5 of Figs. l and 2, and

Fig. 6 is ay sectionon the lines G-yof Figs. 3 and 4:.

In the drawings I have shown at the usual Hoor foundation or other support upon i which the punch press is securely fastened or anchored in lplace and indicates` the usual condition of standing room at the iiiliress.k A K ress ram 2 which carries desired die members or tools 3 is shown mounted in the slide 4 to which it is gibbed as at 5. rlhese parts are uniform equipment tor any punch press. Att-ached to the framework a by the bolts G holding the gibs 5 are a pair o1 brackets 7 to which my barrier guard is adapted to be attached as will be hereinafter described, and upon which it may be swung vertically, horizontally and angularly to permit access to theram or to deline or limit the work area.

My `guard comprises a iront barrier 8 and side barriers 9. The iront barrier consists ot a top cross bar 8 and a bottom cross bar 82 joined by suitably spaced vertical connecting wires The side barriers have complete trame work 9, the top and bottom being joined by the spaced vertical connecting wires 25.

The top cross bar 8 of the front barrier is bent at right angles to either end to provide side arms 10. rlhese .arms 10 are again turned at right angles at their extreme rear ends and bored to receive one end orI a rod 14 on which is hung, by means oi hinges 20, the side barrier 9.

At its forward end the rod 11i passes through a hole in the trame work 8 ot the front barrier 8 and the top of the angle iron 12 as shown at 14 where it is held by a. wing `Init 15. The side barrier 9 may be rotated by its hinges 2O on the rod leso that' it may be moved inwardly or outwardly as de sired to enclose a smaller or larger working area than provided when the barrier hangs vertically.

About midway of the corner angle iron 12 have pivoted by means of a bolt 19 .a lever 16 slotted at 17. The slot 17 permits the arm to slide or .swing on a pivotal stud 21 in the end of the bracket 7 which is attached to the uprights 3 of the punch press by bolts 6 as above described.

' rihe slot 17` in the lever 16 permits the front barrier 8 to be adjusted vertically or angularly on the pivotal stud 21. The bolt in this stud may be loosened and as desired the front clearance of the barrier trom the ram be adjusted. Regardless of the height or distance of the barrier from the work area it may be raised or swung on the pivotal stud 21 from its normal position outside of the dies or other tools to a position where it overlies the working area, permitting access thereto when it is desired to change the dies or repair the same. llt will be obvious that any partial elevation or tilting or angular adjustment is also permitted by reason of the2 free pivotal mounting 21,

Y Because of the tact that the arm 16 is connected at its forward end to the angle iron 12, which connects the front barrier 8 and the side arms 10 which carry the side barriers 9 both iront and side barriers may neces/ie be adjusted or swung upwardly or in or outwardly as one unit. The peculiar sliding and pivoting nature of the slotted arm 17 and pivots 19 and 21 not only allows the guard to be swung above the operating area but permits thel barrier to be adjusted to conform to the height and longitudinal dimension of ythe operating area. .The possibilities ot ad- Sii eration my barrier is first attached to the bracket 7 by the pivotal stud 21 through the slotf17 ot' the lever 16. The pivotal studs 19 and 21 may be suitably adjusted so that the tront barrier 8 and the side barrier 9 may be properly positioned about the ram with reference to the operating zone. When a satisfactory adjustment has been secured the bolts may be tightened. The barrier guard maintains this selected relative spaced relation to the operating Zone until a further arrangement is enfected by means of the slot 17 and studs 19 and 21.

lily guard is a practical and eilicient solution ot' the need for protection from the dangers outlined in the ocial safety code for such presses. it has provenV satisfactory in operation and is so easy of adjustment that the temptation on the part o the Voperative to dispense with'the guard is avoided. The device is capable et cheap production, is quickly installed and has theadded advantage of remaining attached to the press during periods of idleness or when the press is stopped for change or" tools or repair. As a linal part of the press, it' is always available and as the time required to adjust it is so short the constant use of the device is practically assured.

Any inodilication in the construction of the barrier members and the arrangement or attachment of the saine with'relation to the supports or to each other or any variation in thearrangement of pivoting may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention if within the limits of the appended claims.

livlhat I therefore claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A barrier guard for a punch press vor the like comprising a top trame, vlateral barrier walls hinged thereto, means for adjustably supporting said guard with refer# ence to the operating zone of said' press commeas/.w

prising a slotted lever arm pivoted to said press whereby vertical and clearance adjustment of said guard With relation to said Work area is eiiected,

2. A barrier guard for a punch press or the like comprising a front barrier and side barriers, said iront barrier having a projecting arm, a support for said side barriers comprising a rod carried by said projecting arm, said side barriers being hinged to said rod and rotatable thereon to permit lateral adjustment of said side barrier With relation te the operating zone.

3. A barrier guard for a punch press or the like comprising a iront barrier and side barriers each consisting oi' top land bottom frame members connected by suitable spaced vertical Wires, said top frame of said iront barrier being extended and bent at right angles to provide supports tor said side barriers, and means for fastening said side barrier to said support.

4. A barrier guard for a punch press or the like comprising a front barrier and side barriers each consisting of top and bottom frame members, said top frame of said front barrier being extended and bent at right angles to provide supports vfor said side barriers, and means tor fastening said side barrier to said support. s

5. A barrier guard ior a punch press or the like comprising a front barrier and side barriers each consisting of top and bottom 'frame members, said top frame et' said i'ront barrier being extended and bent at right angies to provide supports for said side barriers, and means for connecting ysaid side barriers to said support comprising a rod secured to said support, said side barriers being hinged to said rod and adapted to rotate thereon to permit a lateral adjustment of said side barriers.

6. A barrier guard for a punch press or the like comprising a front barrier and side barriers each consisting of a top frame and bottom trame, said top frame of said iront Vbarrier being extended and bent at right angles to provide supports for said side barriers, an angleiron fastened to said iront barrier and said support -for said side bar-y rier, a slotted arm pivotally connected at one end to said angleiron and at the other end to the frame Work ot' the press permitting` vertical and clearance adjustment of said guard with reference to the work area.

7. A barrier guard for a punch press or the like comprising a front barrier and side barriers each consisting of a top' trame and bottom frame, said top frame of said iront barrier being extended and bent at right angles to provide supports for said side barriers, means fastening said side barriers to said support, an angleiron fastened to said front barrier and said supportii'or said side barriers, a slotted arm pivotally connected at one end to said angleirons and at the other end to the frame Work of the press, permittingadjustment of said guard with reference to the Work area. j

8; A barrierv guard vtor a punch press or the like comprising a iront barrier and side barriers each consisting of a top frame and bottom trame, said` top frame of said front barrier being extended. and bent at right angles to provide supports for said side barriers, means fastening said side barriers to said support comprising a rod secured to said support, said side barriers being hinged to said rod and adapted to rotate thereon Y constituting a. rigid three sided barrier and comprising front and side barrier members in continuous enclosing relation and of a height greater than the ram stroke, means for relatively adjusting the barrier members to vary the enclosed area adjacent the Work, and means for displaceably supporting the guard ifor access to the tool.

ll. A barrier guard for a punch press or thelike, constituting a rigid three sided barrier and comprisingffront and side barrier members in continuous enclosing relation, means tor relatively adjusting the barrier members to vary the enclosed area, and means for displaceably supporting the guard relative to the Work.

l2. A barrier guard for a punch press or the like comprising a rigid 'framework and iront and side barrier members carried thereby in continuous enclosing relation, said side members being adjustable transversely relative of the front member to vary the enclosed area adjacent the Work, a frame bracket for the press and a swinging and sliding connection between said frame and said bracket.

in testimony Whereoi:l I aiix my signature.

LOUIS BORAKS. 

